Ukraine, Russia talks begin as Kiev holds 'Russian' soldiers

MINSK (AFP) - The leaders of Russia and Ukraine held key talks on Tuesday on the brutal conflict between Kiev and pro-Moscow rebels after the Kremlin admitted for the first time its troops had entered Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko shook hands with his Russian counterpart Mr Vladimir Putin, but there were few hopes of a breakthrough to defuse fighting some fear could trigger all-out war between Kiev and its former Soviet master Moscow.

Fears the conflict could intensify mounted when Ukraine on Monday released footage purporting to show 10 Russian soldiers it had captured on its territory. A Moscow military source claimed the soldiers had crossed into Ukraine "by accident".

"In Minsk at this meeting the fate of the world and Europe is being decided," Mr Poroshenko said in Russian as the roundtable with Mr Putin kicked off alongside top EU officials and the leaders of Kazakhstan and Belarus.

This combination of handout pictures released by Ukrainian security service (SBU) on Aug 26, 2014 purportedly shows Russian paratroopers captured by Ukrainian forces near the village of Dzerkalne, Donetsk region, some 20 to 30 kilometres from the Russian border. The leaders of Russia and Ukraine held key talks on Tuesday, Aug 26, 2014, on the brutal conflict between Kiev and pro-Moscow rebels after the Kremlin admitted for the first time its troops had entered Ukrainian territory. -- PHOTO: AFP